The first American Civil War was the costliest and deadliest war ever fought on American soil, with some 620,000 of 2.4 million soldiers killed, millions more injured and much of the South left in ruin.

At that time in history all countries and cultures had slavery. Britain and America were the first to begin movements that successfully abolished the horrid practice of treating human beings as property. America is the only country in the world that went to war with itself to abolish slavery. Although the official cause of the Union Army was to preserve the Union. Slavery was the cause of the secessionist movement, thus the root cause of the war.

There is little doubt that our country is divided. It’s probably as divided or more divided than it was at the beginning of the Civil War.

Pray to God that no one in this country wants another shooting civil war. 

But we are in a civil war. A war which is being fought with ideas, not guns. The civil war is between the traditional Americans and those who want to impose socialism in this country and thus obtain complete government control of its’ citizens.

What is at stake is the most precious thing of all – individual freedom!

Those who are now in power mean to control every aspect of the average American’s life. Consider how the government of different states handled the pandemic. We are at a point now where the average American must decide whether to live in a state that respects individual freedom or a state that does not. This is the same choice that American citizens had in 1861.

Do we really want to relive 1861?

As in the first Civil War, it is neighbor against neighbor, brother against brother. Families are afraid to discuss politics at the dinner table. Children refuse to let their parents see their grandchildren unless they agree with their political ideas or at the very least keep silent.

For those who think this is an exaggeration, just look at California and the feudal society that exists there. For those who remember history, during the Middle Ages the royalty made all the decisions and lived off the serfs who did all the work. In California today, as well as other states who are imposing socialism, “the ruling class” makes the rules, which they do not have to follow, just like the royalty of old. The serfs must follow all the rules and provide all the services.

Daniel Webster stated it this way:

“It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. They think there need be but little restraint upon themselves. The love of power may sink too deep in their own hearts.”

A quotation for our times!

Many new residents of New Mexico have moved from California seeking the traditional American lifestyle. The question a lot of them are asking: Should we have kept going?  For those of us who have lived under one party rule in California, what is happening in New Mexico is all too familiar.

Both the governors of California and New Mexico imposed COVID rules they did not follow.

Legislators in both California and New Mexico completely ignore any requests from their conservative constituents.

Legislators in both California and New Mexico dance to the tune of the teachers’ union.

The list of comparisons is endless.

As in 1861, those who are able, are moving in mass to free states like Texas and Florida. A good question to ask: Are the younger generation staying in New Mexico or moving to another state to seek a new life?

However, if the “political elites” and other members of the “ruling class” have their way, there will be no more free states. States’ rights will be a thing of the past and all power will reside in Washington, D.C.

Our precious government, unique in human history, formed to preserve God-given individual rights, “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” will disappear.

Tom Vaillancourt is a U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran. He is a retired small business owner and is married with two children and two grandchildren.